Hello
If you check my posting history, you'll see that I've been using Linux for about 6 weeks now (I think!). In that time I've fought with Netgears FA311, struggled with Samba, and fiddled with firewalls. In that time, I've made it from newbie to member on this BBS.
Tonight, I suddenly have functioning Samba (including printing-- just ignore what type of printer you really have, and use the digital turbo20 printer driver in Win98),firewall (I hope!) and IP Masquerade, which is how I'm writing this. It has been frustrating at times, and my first attempt at kernel recompile wasn't too good (used RPM which fortunately backed up old stuff, or did I do that???), but I'm still here: Despite saying stuff linux several times, I never gave up.
All I need to do now is figure out how I did it, sort out a 2.4.4 kernel so I can use my USB zip 250, wipe win98 off my laptop, and I'll be free.
It takes time to figure this stuff out. The MAN pages do seem incomprehensible until you figure the syntax, and noone ever seems to have exactly the same problem as you, but keep trying. Eventually, you will have a time like this when it all works. Maybe you'll even know how you did it!
When it doesn't seem to work, think hitch hikers guide and don't panic. Check http://www.Linuxquestions.org instead.
Jim

Congrats DrJim!

Linux is like crack once you get going. You won't be able to get enough and you will actually start to look forward to having problems because you realize that is the only way to truly learn.

Don't know about crack. Beer maybe....

I like problems within a computer environment. It helps you understand and expand your knowledge on how to fix other problems not even related in some ways. If you think clearly young grasshopper, you will soon one day become a master.
Crack and Beer are good. I wouldn't recommend mixing them together though.

Tricky
You spend too much time online at work. Linuxnewbie as well as here!
Jim

Trickykid is right about that. A problem is only an opportunity to learn something else. One of the best features about linux I have found is the amount of infomation about it on the net. On top of that, there are linux user groups to join and great forums like this one where you can ask any question you have about linux. I think you learn alot more if you research your problem and try your hand at solving it first, then if you get good and stuck ask someone else. Besides, you learn alot sifting through information trying to find out what the problem is,
Dallam

I have tried Redhat 7.1, Mandrake 7.2 & 8.0, SuSE 7.1 and Debian distros. I am hooked due to the fact that I know I can learn and beat Linux. It is the most frustrating operating system to a newbie. You must use inductive and deductive reasoning all the time. Nothing is clear cut.

It is truly addictive. I go to sleep trying to figure out how to make it do what I need. But until Linux becomes something the dunce on the street can work with only us geeks will accept it.

My thoughts for your approval or disapproval.

Raygun,
It has you, too then ) When I go to bed at night I can't wait till morning, always feels like I left something unfinished. After a month of this, my wife has decided to put linux on her windows system...don't know if she will go with SuSE or something else yet. Finally all the computers in the house will be windows free,
Dallam

Dallam, like your quotey thing at the bottom.

I should say it's addictive. Unfortunately I'm not running Lin at the mo. As my CD burner is knackered (2x2x6x RIP) and I can't afford a new one just yet, I've had to free up some space for Windows stuff. I'm still in here all the time though. Learning new things, helping out where I can.

Think I might slowly be converting my house-mate to Lin aswell. My constant ramblings about how shit windows is (which he has noticed, but just puts up with at the mo) and how this/that is soooo much better, and the fact that he's on a 'Computer Systems & Networks' degree, might be slowly tempting him.

Touch wood, over the summer I might make enough money to afford a second HD then I'll be back on the Lin scene properly! A new cd burner (scsi, I hope) and possibly an ide zip to come aswell. Any donations would be gratefully accepted .

Raygun,

Linux is ready for the Dunce on the Street... it just needs to be configured and locked down by someone else.

The Dunce on the Street has an equally troublesome time with Windows. Try explaining to someone that has never seen a computer how to click on "START --> RUN". Its more difficult than you think.

I can say that Linux is great, and I love learning to make it do things, but sometimes it is not easy nor convienent to fix a problem or even find the answer. Because I am new , it is very fustrating to have problems since I am still not greatly familiar with this OS.

But that is NOT to say that I prefer Windows. While I may know it better, it does not mean it is easier to maintain. Windows has given me many more problems than Linux EVER has. I have done numerous reloads and installations with Windows to fix problems, and only once did I reload Linux, and if I knew how to fix the problem then, I would not have had to.

To those that are newbies, all I can tell you is to stick with it, be willing to learn new things, and trust the people who built it. The penguin has never let me down yet. The people who program Linux and most of its applications take great pride in their work, and unlike MicroSoft, they actually do a quality control check.

Jim,
Yes I do spend all day online at work, its part of my job, but I wish someone would give me a new job to keep me more busy with actual work, it would make my days go much faster.

You and me both Trick!
Not that I have internet access at work I can still look busy but not do anything. Sigh, tis the life.

I LOVE LINUX!!!

That's all I can say.